The 15 Best Hanoi Boat Tours

1.Ha Long Bay Day Cruise – Swimming, Meal, Kayaking

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 7,415 reviews · from $41Our pick

Leave Hanoi by modern bus for a full day on Ha Long Bay. Cruise from Tuan Chau Harbor, visit Sung Sot Cave, kayak or take a bamboo boat through Luon Cave, swim or hike on Titop Island, and finish with wine and fruit at sunset. Guides such as Sunny, Alex, Ken, and Tom are praised for their energy and clear explanations.

“Sunny really showed all the places very well and his humorous is very funny and keep us very lively. Thank you Sunny.”

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2.Ninh Binh Full-Day Tour from Hanoi to Hoa Lu, Tam Coc & Mua Cave Via Boat & Bike

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 4,384 reviews · from $33Best value

Leave Hanoi at 7:45 a.m. for Hoa Lu, a short village bike ride, a 1.5-hour Tam Coc boat trip, and Mua Cave’s nearly 500 steps. An English-speaking guide such as Sunny, Linh, or Viet leads the day, with buffet lunch, bus transfers, and bikes included. Plan extra cash for entrance fees.

“Pick up offered from hotel or Hanoi Opera House, free bottle of water followed by intro and plan for the day. Guide was a positive person, althought he tried to frighten travellers and convince them the bus was headed to Cambodia (some peoRead more”

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3.Amanda Cruise – Ha Long, Lan Ha Bay – All Inclusive 2D1N & 3D2N

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 4,358 reviews · from $56

Take a 2-day, 1-night Amanda Cruise from Hanoi through Ha Long or Lan Ha Bay, with cave visits, kayaking, swimming, Tai Chi, cooking, and squid fishing. Guides such as Alex, Dan, Hannah, and Anna have earned praise, but boat assignments, cabin quality, food, and route can vary, so confirm the exact ship and itinerary before paying.

“We have marked this down one star as the company emailed us with one day's notice to say they were changing our boat to the Hera Grand. The reason being that the one that had previously been confirmed to us was then allocated to a larger group that had come in. That may be good business for them, but isn't customer friendly for people who have booked so far in advance. Other than that, we still enjoyed the trip. The cabin was very nice and the food was excellent. All staff were efficient, friendly and approachable. One big drawback was the lack of internet, even though it is advertised as…”

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4.Cozy Bay Halong 5-Star Day Cruise, Buffet, Cave, Kayak, Swimming

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 3,512 reviews · from $48

Spend 11 to 12 hours traveling from Hanoi to Ha Long Bay by comfortable shuttle, then cruise among limestone islands. You’ll visit Surprising Cave, climb Ti Top Island, kayak or ride a bamboo boat, and enjoy a buffet lunch and sunset snack party. Guides such as Minh, Tim, Duc, and Max are often praised for clear communication.

“Stunning views, peaceful waters, and amazing food—Ha Long Bay cruise is an unforgettable escape!!!!!”

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5.2-Day Halong & Lan Ha Bay 5-Star Cruise with Balcony

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 3,300 reviews · from $188

Spend one night aboard a 5-star cruise through Ha Long and Lan Ha bays, with a private ocean-view balcony cabin, meals, kayaking, swimming, cave visits, tai chi, spring-roll making, and squid fishing. English-speaking guides such as Jackie, Mike, Tom, and Duy have helped make the trip feel personal, while the short schedule keeps the cruise easy to fit into a Vietnam itinerary.

“the cruise was absolutely amazing! the boat is beautiful and the room very comfortable. the activity were even better than I imagine . the food is delicious and served like in a gastronomic restaurants. finally the crew is adorable and present any time day and night to answer at your demande especially miss hao she is the best!! I recommend you this cruse so much , it worth every penny”

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6.Mon Chéri Cruise 5 star: Unique 2 Days Tuan Chau – Halong bay – Lan Ha Bay

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 2,422 reviews · from $195

Spend two days aboard Mon Chéri Cruises among the islands and caves of Lan Ha and Halong Bays. You’ll enjoy meals, an overnight suite, kayaking, swimming, a bamboo boat ride, cooking, squid fishing, and sunrise views. The cruise leaves from Got Pier near Hai Phong, with Hanoi limousine transfers available for an extra $20 each way.

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7.Doris Cruise 5 star cruise 2 days visiting Halong Bay Lan Ha Bay private balcony

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 2,338 reviews · from $235

Spend one night aboard Doris Cruise, sailing from Hanoi to Halong and Lan Ha Bays. You get a private balcony, onboard meals, kayaking or a rowboat, swimming, tai chi, a cooking class, and a Dark and Bright Cave visit. Staff members including Emily, Mona, and Jessica are often assigned to guest care.

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8.CozyBay Cruise-The Best Small Group 2D/1N inHalong-All inclusive

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 2,199 reviews · from $122

Cruise Ha Long Bay for two days and one night from Hanoi in a group of up to 23 people. Expect Sung Sot Cave, Ti Top Island, kayaking, a pearl farm, sunset views, a cooking class, squid fishing, and shared meals. Guides such as Tam, James, Michael, and Charlie have helped make this budget cruise especially social and well organized.

“We had a great time, all the activities were so fun. Our time went so fast we would definitely do it again.”

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9.Halong Bay – Hera Cruise – All Inclusive Multi Days Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,967 reviews · from $56

You’ll cruise Halong Bay from Hanoi on a two-day Hera itinerary with a standard ocean-view cabin, meals, kayaking or bamboo boats, Ti Top Island, Luon Cave, Tai Chi, and a cooking class. Pickup runs from Hanoi’s Old Quarter, and groups can reach up to 30 people. Guide Minh has helped make some departures especially warm and memorable.

“Its a unique kind of honeymoon as well de stress from normal work life. A good vibes seeing the nature and well caves.”

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10.Ninh Binh Day Trip: Hoa Lu-Trang An/Tam Coc-Mua Cave-Cycling-Boat

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,886 reviews · from $43

Spend a full day in Ninh Binh with an English-speaking guide, cycling around Hoa Lu’s royal temples, taking a Trang An boat through caves, and climbing Mua Cave’s 500 steps. The $43 tour includes Hanoi pickup, transport, entrance fees, lunch, and water. Guides such as James, Max, Tim, and Jason have earned strong praise for their energy and clear explanations.

“I'm very torn on how to write this review... Our guide was great- good English, very energetic. Van was comfortable. Temple stop was nice, good information by our guide. I think we stayed too long though. Everyone was just standing around and we could have gotten on the road to the next stop. The cycling was only ok. Very old bikes and not really much to see on the route, especially when trying to dodge potholes. It was extremely hot but that is not the fault of the company. Lunch was not good. Not only was the food sub par but I also found something in one of the dishes…”

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11.3-Day Ninh Binh, Ha Long, & Lan Ha Bay 5-Star Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 1,401 reviews · from $313

Travel from Hanoi to Bai Dinh, Trang An, and Mua Cave, then spend a night in a private-balcony cabin on a 5-star Lan Ha Bay cruise. Expect comfortable transfers, Vietnamese meals, kayaking, swimming, Tai Chi, and a cooking class. Guides such as Peter, James, Leo, and Dat may lead the Ninh Binh portion.

“Jessica is very attentive and great at communicating the itinerary. We loved Ninh Binh and the cruise in Ha Long Bay. Our favourite part was the fact that getting from Point A to Point B to Point C was so simple thanks to the planning of the operator.”

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12.Islands & Caves Ha Long Cruise with Lunch & Kayaking

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 1,317 reviews · 4 - 13 hours · from $34

You’ll cruise Ha Long Bay aboard the Dragonfly Cruise, eat a seafood lunch, walk through Thien Cung Cave, and kayak or ride a bamboo boat through quiet coves and water tunnels. English-speaking guides such as Harry, Benjamin, Linh, and Hoi keep the day moving. The Hanoi transfer makes this a practical choice when you have only one day.

“This was a fantastic day out and great value. The buffet lunch was really good (have a light breakfast or skip that), the cave visit was incredible and kayaking spot was very nice. The afternoon tea & fruit topped it off. Definitely recommend!”

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13.2-Day Lan Ha & Halong Bay 5 Stars Cruise with Balcony

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 1,147 reviews · from $162

Spend one night in a private balcony cabin on a 5-star cruise through Ha Long and Lan Ha bays. Lucas and the onboard hosts coordinate transfers, meals, kayaking, caves, swimming, Tai Chi, and cooking. Expect a polished trip with changing activity options, extra charges for transport, drinks, spa treatments, and peak-season dates.

“The whole arrangement was fantastic. Mr. Lucas was in touch throughout the whole trip and made sure that we were picked up and dropped off at our accommodations in Hanoi on time and that our trip was comfortable. Lee, who was our cruise manager, was charismatic and accommodating. He planned out a comfortable pace and fun activities to do on the cruise.”

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14.Ha Long – Bai Tu Long Bay 2-Day 1-Night Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 1,113 reviews

Cruise from Hanoi into quieter Bai Tu Long Bay aboard a small traditional-style vessel. You’ll kayak near Cap La Island, visit Thien Canh Son Cave, swim at Hon Co Island, join Tai Chi and a spring-roll lesson, and sleep in an ocean-view cabin. Guides such as Cong, Hung, Duc, and Peter are known for adding warmth and humor.

“From start to finish, the service has been exceptional! We got pick up right at our hotel in hanoi, the staffs who greeted us were all in smiles. Our guide is Duoc, he is attentive, friendly, knowledgeable and gave information about Halong Bay well. The tour has many activities for a 2D1N tour, from kayaking, squid fishing, karaoke, cave visiting, making spring roll and Tai Chi! All the crew staff have been friendly and kind! I’m so fortunate to pick the right cruise for my family. A small size cruise that goes to the quieter part of Halong Bay. We have the whole bay to ourselves. Beds are comfortable. Even…”

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15.Halong Bay Cruise 2 days 1 night from Hanoi included transfer

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,061 reviews · from $168

Travel from Hanoi’s Old Quarter to Halong Bay for an overnight cruise among towering limestone islands. You’ll sleep in a private cabin, eat Vietnamese seafood, kayak, visit a cave and beach, and join a cooking class. The cruise carries up to 30 people, though some departures may use much smaller boats.

“Good: - hotel pickup but it would have been nice to have a phone number for the coordinator! - boat was awesome. Our cabin was lovely and had key AC. Crew very nice. Food was great- it was like 8 courses each meal. Not as good: - every Read more”

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